Adrenal Recovery: If the adrenals ain’t happy, nobody’s happy!
If there were ever a time for a
magical “That was easy!” button for health fixes, the adrenal glands would be a top candidate. As you have hopefully realized, adrenal fatigue does not happen overnight, and repair is an equally slow process. God designed our body to be a miraculous healing machine, but only if we actually “do the things” to allow the healing to happen. Remember that story in the Bible about the Israelites wandering in the desert for 40 years because they were “stiff necked” (stubborn) about not wanting to give up the very ways that kept getting them into trouble? We really haven’t changed much all these years later! There is no magic pill or elixir to simply “undo” adrenal fatigue, though there is PLENTY that can be done to support the repair process. The body has raised a white flag in the form of the myriad of clues you’ve collected.
magical “That was easy!” button for health fixes, the adrenal glands would be a top candidate. As you have hopefully realized, adrenal fatigue does not happen overnight, and repair is an equally slow process. God designed our body to be a miraculous healing machine, but only if we actually “do the things” to allow the healing to happen. Remember that story in the Bible about the Israelites wandering in the desert for 40 years because they were “stiff necked” (stubborn) about not wanting to give up the very ways that kept getting them into trouble? We really haven’t changed much all these years later! 
There is no magic pill or elixir to simply “undo” adrenal fatigue, though there is PLENTY that can be done to support the repair process. The body has raised a white flag in the form of the myriad of clues you’ve collected.Adrenal fatigue is an inside job in this type of crime scene, and the “crime” can persist indefinitely (or until a secondary dysfunction steps in and wreaks bigger havoc) unless self care becomes a priority. Do you ignore the clues and prepare for a long wander in the desert, or will you choose to be still and become an active participant in the repair and replenishment process? The desert is a dry, dusty, barren place and yet many people choose to embark on the desert journey because they have chosen to hang on to that which is holding them captive (and making them sick). #choices
and prepare for a long wander in the desert, or will you choose to be still and become an active participant in the repair and replenishment process? The desert is a dry, dusty, barren place and yet many people choose to embark on the desert journey because they have chosen to hang on to that which is holding them captive (and making them sick). #choicesWhat conditions are necessary for the adrenal glands to recover and thrive?
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Locating and eliminating (or mediating) “energy vampires” in your life. Do the people you share your life with suck the life out of you or do they add to your life? Do the activities and employment you engage in suck the life out of you, or do they add to your life? Find the areas of chronic stress in your life, and commit to making positive changes. That may mean counseling, setting boundaries, or perhaps finding a new job, or new friends. No amount of StressAway essential oil blend will make a chronically stressful situation tolerable for the adrenal glands.
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Incorporate prayer, meditation, gentle exercise, yoga, massage, quiet time, leisure reading, sitting quietly in nature etc (that which encourages stillness of mind, body, and spirit) as a daily and necessary activity. Allowing the body time to recharge should be as habitual as brushing teeth at least twice a day. We are a country that doesn’t embrace “slow”, and as a result, 80% of adults in the USA have experienced adrenal fatigue at least once in their lives. PS: scrolling on the computer is NOT part of this activity.
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Laugh! Laughter has many adrenal de-fatiguing benefits. It has been scientifically proven to reduce blood pressure and relax the body by helping regulate cortisol levels in the body. Laughter also increases the body’s infection fighting capabilities and raises the body’s endorphin production which improves mood and decreases stress levels within the body.
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Do something that brings you pleasure every day. Find your favorite things and engage in them
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Breathe deeply regularly. Incorporate deep breathing habits into your life. Be purposeful in setting aside 3-4 minutes several times a day for focused deep diaphragmatic breathing.
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Create a gratitude journal and utilize it ! Send someone a thank you note. Expressing gratitude is directly linked to greater happiness and joy, two higher frequency emotions. Recall that higher frequency emotions are directly linked to a healthier healing environment overall and that a body with a higher (positive) frequency gently guides the body towards an alkaline state. Negative emotions do the opposite, pulling the body towards an acidic pH,where chronic illness tends to thrive. (This isn’t hoo hoo friends….. It’s basic physics and biology!). Grab your bottle of Gratitude essential oil blend and use it regularly as a reminder to self! (check out the oils within this beautiful blend….. Grounding tree oils, cardiovascular supportive oils, and mood calming to boot!) Just as with all Young Living products, the Gratitude blend is highly purpose oriented!
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Take a short (15-30 minute) cat nap (horizontally, not seated in a chair) during the day.
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Get in bed before 10:00pm. The adrenal glands like restorative sleep and “pre-midnight” sleep is generally more restorative . Having a “Second Wind” is a real thing and the characteristics of a night owl defies the natural circadian rhythm the adrenal glands crave. Our bodies were designed to follow the natural flow of daylight and dark. If healing is a priority, bedtime by 10:00 pm will become dear to you.
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Learn to say no.
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The adrenal glands need lots of Vitamin C and cannot function properly without adequate levels. Super C chewables are a key physical ingredient to adrenal gland support. The best vitamin C comes from natural sources and is paired with bioflavonoids (found in citrus rinds) to enhance bioavailability. Historically, before measuring steroid hormones was an available test, blood levels of Vitamin C were used as the best indicator of adrenal function in studies! Be wary of your Vitamin C sourcing. Most of what you find on the market as ascorbic acid is derived from corn syrup. Not only is this a less bioavailable form, corn is one of the most chemically treated genetically modified grains in commercial agriculture. Knowing your farmer (as we blessedly know Young Living), is utterly important for supplements too!
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Vitamin E, found in Master Formula and KidScents MightyVites, is another nourishing necessity for healthy adrenal glands.
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Vitamin D deficiencies are often overlooked in routine lab work. Adequate Vitamin D levels play an important supportive role in the prevention of many endocrine disorders, including diabetes (types I and II), various adrenal diseases, and PCOS. Vitamin D also has immune supportive and anti-inflammatory properties. When the immune system AND inflammation pathways are working properly, the body responds in a more favorable way to stress. Vitamin D is found in Super Vitamin D, Master Formula, Super Cal Plus, KidScents MightyVites, OmegaGize, and Mindwise.
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Eat a protein rich, carbohydrate poor breakfast. Avoid fruit first thing in the morning.
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Ensure a regular source of trace minerals. YL’s Mineral Essence or a commitment to use a high quality trace mineral salt (such as Redmond or Sea of Cortez salt) daily and liberally. Do NOT use commercial table salt….. It’s not the same thing. Kelp powder or sea moss is another helpful natural source of micronutrients.
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Reduce screen time. What we see and hear are stress triggers and recall that screen light interrupts melatonin production in the evenings. Turn off screens by 8pm if at all possible.
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Engage in a caffeine free lifestyle as much as is possible. Caffeine raises cortisol levels.
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Reduce sugar intake. Sugar is highly inflammatory, and we are trying to give the body a rest…. Not make it work harder. Work towards balanced blood sugar. NingXia Red is highly supportive of healthy blood sugar levels.
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Be kind to yourself in thought, word, and deed. Are you a good friend to yourself?
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Incorporate a diet that is rich in raw fruits and vegetables, and high quality meats, fish, and eggs. Eat healthy sources of cholesterol. Remember, healthy cholesterol is the primary building block for all adrenal produced hormones.
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Look for ways to reduce inflammation naturally. Take a close look at food sensitivities and possibly, low grade infections. Common low grade infections (often not easily detected) include candida, h.pylori, and Epstein Barr.
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Stay well hydrated!
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Consider products with adaptogenic herbs. Studies have shown that ashwagandha helps balance cortisol levels. It is found in both EndoGize and PowerGize. Astragalus is found in CardioGize. Reishi mushrooms are found in Immupro. Ginseng is found in FemiGen and NingXia Nitro. Licorice root is found in FemiGen and Rehomogen. Ginger helps modulate cortisol levels and is found in EndoGize, ComforTone, ICP Daily, Golden Turmeric, JuvaPower, ParaFree, Essentialzymes-4, Digest & Cleanse, Allerzyme, and Master Formula. Note that adaptogenic herbs are helpful supportive tools, but so is the spare “donut” tire found in the trunk of many cars. The “donut tire” will help for a while, but it’s not a long term solution to the root cause.
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Exercise. It reduces stress in the mind and body, facilitates improved blood flow and, oxygenation of tissue, and hastens elimination of toxins. Excessive exercise is not a good idea when in adrenal insufficiency recovery. Start with gentle exercise, and work towards that which is suitable for you individually. Regular exercise is key in self care.
Adrenal insufficiency has many culprits working together over time to quietly bring chaos into the body, and those purveyors of mayhem must be dealt with.
All of them.
Individually.
This is not a small crime scene. It’s a crime syndicate. Untended to, adrenal fatigue can become chronic, making the body a playground for other system dysfunctions. My best advice is to work on repair and recovery in babystep fashion. Remember, adrenal insufficiency didn’t happen overnight, and repair won’t happen overnight either.
Adrenal fatigue can happen to anyone at any age if stress management is not an ingrained habit. One of the most important life skills a child should be taught is learning how to manage stress by incorporating the above into their daily life. Life is stress filled. We can’t change that, but we CAN change how we react to stress, and how prepped our body is when the inevitable stressors present themselves. Protect your adrenal glands friends. Each one of us can’t afford not to.
xoxo ~ liz
(link to volume I: Becoming Your Own Health Detective: https://goodmedicine.info/my-book/ )
